Summer officially begins on June 20 with the summer solstice, but the season has already gotten off to a busy start! As you read through this newsletter edition, I would like to direct your attention to the various services that the County is providing to the public with help from our partners in local government, education and non-profits.

In recent weeks, I had the opportunity to attend various events honoring those who have served our country. Details of two of these commemorations, Memorial Day at Loma Vista Memorial Park in Fullerton and Anaheim Flag Day, can be found below. Cal State Fullerton also graciously hosted the Fourth District’s first-ever North County Senior Summit with assistance from the Council on Aging, the Office on Aging and the OLLI Foundation.

If you were unable to participate in any of these events, I hope you attend one of the various July 4 celebrations throughout the County. Of particular note, the City of Brea is holding its 33rd Annual Country Fair this Independence Day. Details are below.

The Board of Supervisors also held its annual public budget hearings for FY 2012-13 on Tuesday to solicit input from the public and give staff further direction on funding levels. The County’s $5.6 billion budget will pay for the County’s public protection efforts, community services and infrastructure needs, among other services. The presentation to the Board can be found here. The Board plans to adopt the budget at its June 26 meeting.

The next regular meeting will be on Tuesday, June 19 at 9:30 am in the Hall of Administration – 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana 92701.

Sincerely,Shawn Nelson.

BOARD UPDATES

Fifteen County Programs Receive NACo Awards, Including One “Best of Category”

The National Association of Counties announced their annual Achievement Awards for 2012. Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach was pleased to announce that Orange County was the recipient of fifteen Achievement Awards, including one “Best of Category” honor. Among the programs recognized were the County’s Defined Contribution Plan for New Employees, Library Overdue Fines Amnesty Program, Archaeological and Paleontological Partnership Program, the Health Care Agency’s Leadership Development Program, OC Parks Ranger Training Academy and various other programs. The OC Registrar of Voters received high accolades as “Best of Category” recognition for their “My Ballot” program that teaches high school students the value of the electoral process, democracy and civic participation. The County of Orange is proud to announce the success of these programs and to be nationally recognized by the efforts of the county staff and management is a testament to the good work being done by every facet of county government.

OCTA

OCTA FY 2012-2013 Budget Hearing

On Monday, the OCTA Board of Directors held a public hearing on the FY 2012-2013 budget. Next year’s overall budget is expected to be about $30 million less than last year’s. A revised proposal cut approximately $6 million more from an already $24 million lower budget released last month. The additional reduction was made as a result of a postponed timing for some projects and using less from reserves.

Some good news: for the first time since FY 2007-2008, there is an increase of 23,000 hours in bus service on high-demand routes, restoring some of the cuts made as a result of the recession. And while property tax revenue to OCTA is expected to remain flat, sales tax revenue is anticipated to increase by a total of $40 million. Bus fares are also expected to grow by $5 million, although partially due to a future fare increase of 25%.

Through attrition, staffing levels will decrease by 49 positions, from 1,567 to 1,518. Slightly more funding has been dedicated to salaries, however, to more accurately reflect needed bus driver overtime and accommodate for recent vacation time payout trends.

More information can be found on the OCTA budget website. The presentation given to the Board can be found below.

Debating High-Speed Rail

On June 7, Supervisor Nelson participated in a panel at the 2012 City Infrastructure Summit to debate the merits of the High-Speed Rail project.

Again, dubious projections regarding the reliability of funding and ridership numbers, among other issues, took center stage. In particular, Supervisor Nelson reiterated the fact that Congress will not provide funding beyond its already allocated $3.5 billion. Additionally, as the Legislative Analyst’s Office noted, the suggested cap-and-trade strategy to raise money remains speculative since the construction of HSR would be a net emitter of greenhouse gases for the first 30 years.

Furthermore, a recent poll indicated that most voters, around 70%, would “never or hardly ever” ride the High-Speed Rail train. According to the survey, no one would use it “more than once a week.”

Beginning in 1972, OCTA consisted of only eight buses and three routes. Today, the agency operates a fleet of 550 buses with 77 routes throughout the County.

To commemorate this milestone, OCTA is offering promotional opportunities throughout the month of June. Learn more about OCTA’s 40 years as “Your Wheels” at its 40 years and rolling website.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Memorial Day – Loma Vista

Supervisor Shawn Nelson attended the 74th annual Loma Vista Memorial Day honors with wife, Sharon, to support families of the fallen who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation. The event was hosted by Loma Vista Park, American Veterans Association and the City of Fullerton. Shawn and Sharon were moved with the announcement from Fullerton Fire Chief Knabe that fallen patriot Chris Sannicolas will have his name printed on one of their fire trucks to memorialize his sacrifice for the people of Fullerton and Orange County.

The event featured a flyover in the “missing man” formation, a performance by the “Dapper Tappers” dancing group and a medley of patriotic songs played by the Katella High band. Following the event, several local students received awards for their essays “What the Flag Means to Me.”

However, the most poignant part of the program proved to be the parade kick-off, which included several World War II and Korean War veterans proceeding down Center Street Promenade for the onstage recognition of their service.

Korean War veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Tibor “Ted” Rubin poses with his Medal of Honor decoration, after the ceremony. Behind Mr. Rubin are, from left to right, his son and USAF veteran Frank Rubin, Katella High student Bryan Pliego and Nelson staffer Mark Lopez.

Supervisor’s Senior Summit Success!

Supervisor Nelson extended his thanks to the Council on Aging, the OC Office on Aging and the OLLI Foundation for their planning and performance at his first-ever North County Senior Summit at CSUF on June 9th. The event was attended by over a hundred seniors and featured four premier speakers who addressed financial security, physical safety, quality of life and life-planning.

(Top) Dr. Pauline Abbott, seen here with Shawn, retired June 9th as Director of the CSUF Ruby Gerontology Center and received Shawn’s first Lifetime Achievement Award for her career in elder education

(Bottom) Supervisor Nelson addressing the crowd to kick off the North County Senior Summit

Blood Drive

Supervisor Nelson donated blood to the American Red Cross as part of the County of Orange Blood Drive. The County of Orange hosts a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross three times a year to help our low community blood supply. The next blood mobile will be available on September 26th & 27th from 9 am to 3 pm at the Civic Center Plaza in Santa Ana. For more information, please visit www.redcrossblood.org or call Amber Alford at (714) 834-4144.

(Left) Sup. Nelson donating his blood to the American Red Cross

(Right) American Red Cross workers eagerly waiting for volunteers

Bike Nation

A new private business is coming to the City of Los Angeles with 400 kiosks and 4,000 bicycles. Bike Nation is a turnkey bike sharing system that will provide rental bikes within the City of Los Angeles. This project will begin in the fourth quarter of 2012 and plans to expand over the next ten years. Bike Nation will aim to reduce the amount of carbon footprints in an attempt to offer more affordable and user-friendly alternatives to regular forms of transportation that increase pollution. As the only bike sharing system based in Southern California, Bike Nation will be filling a unique role in the city as well as further promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

(Bottom) All of Bike Nation’s operating systems within the kiosks are identical, making the process of renting seamless regardless of location.

Ricca Vonna Salon – Grand Opening!

Fourth District Representative Erik Dahlberg presents a Certificate of Recognition congratulating Von Nia on the grand opening of Ricca Vonna Salon. The opening ceremony was attended by 50+ people from Brea and neighboring communities. With the opening of this salon, it will provide additional jobs in the community and better service the needs of Brea residents.

Erik (right) and Salon owner Von Nia taking a moment after the ribbon cutting to celebrate

Anaheim Job Fair

Supervisor Nelson was honored to participate in the June 13th Anaheim/OC Job Fair hosted by the City of Anaheim, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, Anaheim Jobs, Orange County Workforce Investment Board, OC Business Service Center and OC One-Stop Center. Some 7,000 job seekers attended the job fair that had 200 businesses and companies offering 2,600 jobs. OC One-Stop Director, Chris Strom, (center) is joined by staffers Lisa Burns and Betty Vicuna at the information booth where hundreds gained info on FREE job placement, resume building, interview tips and hints on getting re-employed.

Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley will kick off the summer concert series with four free Wednesday concerts. June 13 welcomes Hip Street and June 20 rhythm and blues sensation Tierra. The urban Latin soul trio DW3 will return to the parks summer series on June 27. Mile Square wraps up its concerts with a special July 4 show by Barela. All concert events are from 6:30 to 8 p.m., free and open to the public of all ages. Friends and families are invited to come out and enjoy fantastic live music under the stars at OC Parks this summer season.

Special Instructions: The concerts will be held near the Forest Shelter at Mile Square Regional Park.

5 Senses of Nature

9:30 am and 1:00 pm to 11:00 am and 2:30 pm

Join Josh, one of our trained staff, on a walk to the Redwoods on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Josh will help you use your 5 senses to engage with nature as you stroll to the Redwoods and hear the story of these majestic trees and how they came to Carbon Canyon Regional Park.

The walks will be every Saturday and Sunday mornings and in the afternoons. You will also get a chance to visit the Nature Center.

Special Instructions: Carbon Canyon is located off the 57 freeway, exit Lambert Rd and drive toward the hills, once you cross Valencia St, Lambert turns into Carbon Canyon Rd. We are located at Santa Fe and Carbon Canyon Rd. The walk begins at the nature center.

OC ANIMAL CARE

Click on the image above to view a larger version.

Click on the image above to view a larger version.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mark Your Calendars for Brea’s 33rd Annual Country Fair on July 4

Experience good times and old-fashioned fun at the 33rd Annual Country Fair on Wednesday, July 4. This traditional celebration will be held at City Hall Park, 401 S. Brea Blvd (one block south of Imperial). Day-long festivities begin with the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at 7 –11 a.m., followed by the Brea Ministerial Association morning service. The fair officially opens at 10 a.m. and free entertainment continues until 4 p.m.

The Country Fair offers fun for everyone including:
Live performances by Anthony Rivera and Raining Horseshoes, Chico, House Party and Ryan & Faris
Kiddie Parade and Beautiful Baby Contest
Teen Fun Area and Little Kids Fun Area
Pie Eating and Hula Hoop Contests
Hot Rod and Collectible Car Show
Market Place craft area
$2 swimming at the Plunge (for all ages)
Reptacular Animals Reptile Show

Other activities throughout the park include an antique car display, petting zoo, food and game booths, tours of the Brea Museum and Heritage Center and trolley tours of Olinda Oil Museum and Trail and much more.

For more information on registering for the beautiful baby contest and the exciting events the Country Fair has to offer, call (714) 990-7771 or visitwww.breaspecialevents.com.

ATTENTION VETERANS

Do you know a low-income US military veteran in Fullerton that is in need of home repairs?

The Home Depot Foundation hopes to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County to fund home repairs for several low-income veterans in Fullerton. However the timeframe in which the homes can be identified and repaired is fairly short. Projects must be completed by August 4! We are looking for home-owning veterans living anywhere in Fullerton – although preferably in south or southwest Fullerton.

On Sunday, July 1 at 2:30 pm in the La Habra Library Meeting Room Jean Pasco with the Orange County Clerk Recorder Department will present HOW TO THWART IDENTITY THEFT Q&A will follow. For more information, please call 562-694-0078.

EVENTS

Fullerton
What: 4th of July Festival and Fireworks Show
Where: Fullerton High School Stadium, corner of Lemon and Berkeley
When: Wednesday, July 4th, 2012
Time: 5:00 pm-9:30 pm